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Neurologist and author Dr. Carolyn Larkin Taylor joins For Those Who Care for an important conversation about Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)—a complex and often misunderstood condition that blends symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Taylor explains what Lewy Body Dementia is, how it’s diagnosed, and why it can be particularly challenging for families and caregivers. She notes that actor Robin Williams was found to have Lewy Body Dementia, which helped bring more public attention to this often misunderstood condition. She also offers practical, compassionate advice for anyone caring for a loved one with a neurological condition—whether that’s LBD, Alzheimer’s or other dementia, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Taylor shares how lifestyle choices—nutrition, exercise, sleep, etc—play a powerful role in brain health and quality of life. She underscores that while there’s no cure, there is so much that can be done to support both the patient and the caregiver.

As we close, I mention two trusted sources of information and help: the Lewy Body Dementia Association and the National Institute on Aging, both of which offer education, community, and hope for those walking this path.

Learn more about Dr. Taylor’s work and her memoir, Whispers of the Mind: A Neurologist’s Memoir, at https://www.carolynlarkintaylorauthor.com

Photo credit: Courtesy of Dr. Carolyn Larkin Taylor.

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Neurologist and author Dr. Carolyn Larkin Taylor joins me to talk about her book, Whispers of the Mind: A Neurologist’s Memoir, and why she felt called to share these deeply human stories now, after more than three decades in neurology. She reflects on how she found her way into neurology, the patients and families who changed her forever, and what they taught her about resilience, courage, and the many ways people keep showing up for life while facing terminal illness.

Dr. Taylor shares who she believes will benefit most from reading Whispers of the Mind—from caregivers and families to medical students, residents, and seasoned clinicians—and what she hopes they carry with them after closing the book. She also offers grounded, heartfelt advice to young women who feel called to both medicine and motherhood, speaking honestly about the challenges and rewards of doing both.​

We talk about what nearly drove her away from medicine and what ultimately kept her in it, as well as the personal experiences that shaped who she is as a neurologist. Dr. Taylor describes how these moments deepened her compassion for patients and families and influenced the way she shows up for them.​

She opens up about her own experience with grief and how it changes the brain—sometimes looking and feeling like a traumatic brain injury, yet with the possibility of healing—and how hard it can be to function when you are in that fog. Speaking directly to anyone who has wondered if their deep grief meant they were “losing their mind,” she offers validation, language for what is happening, and gentle guidance for moving through it rather than around it, including a poignant story in her book about pseudo-dementia from severe depression and profound grief.​

Dr. Taylor also offers practical advice on how to live as well as possible while dealing with serious neurological conditions, emphasizing that these stories are about the shared emotions of patients, caregivers, and clinicians alike. She shares how her beloved therapy dog, Prancer, became an essential part of her medical team, bringing comfort and connection to people in some of their most difficult moments. For anyone who has ever experienced the coldness of medical providers, this conversation and this book reveal the deeply human side of medicine.​

Learn more about Dr. Carolyn Larkin Taylor and her work at: https://www.carolynlarkintaylorauthor.com/

Photo credit: Courtesy of Dr. Carolyn Larkin Taylor.

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In this episode of For Those Who Care, I’m talking with my former personal trainer Jenna about what functional training really means and why it matters, especially for caregivers. Jenna explains how this kind of training helps people stay strong, mobile, and ready for the physical demands that come with caring for others.

She shares a story about a client who didn’t have much time to work out but found ways to stay consistent—and how those small efforts made a big difference for her and her family. Jenna and I also talk about what she noticed in my own movement patterns as a full-time caregiver, what that revealed about the toll caregiving can take, and how training helped me rebuild strength and confidence.

Jenna also opens up about her experience working with Lance and how she adapted his training to match his mobility and goals. It wasn’t about adding more years, but about giving him more purpose, comfort, and quality in the time he had.

This conversation is a great reminder that movement can be a source of strength, hope, and even healing for caregivers and anyone living with disability or chronic conditions.

This episode is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or professional fitness advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider or certified fitness professional before making changes to your exercise or nutrition routine.

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In the final part of Walter and Kristine’s story, Kristine reflects on the challenges they faced as Walter applied for disability and came to terms with leaving work behind. She shares how that transition changed their relationship, the toll of balancing full-time work with caregiving, and the struggle of navigating life with no manual for Erdheim-Chester Disease.

RuthAnn and Kristine also recall meeting in person for the first time at the inaugural ECD conference and the meaningful connections formed when the caregiver support group began. That network became a source of understanding and encouragement through an isolating journey.

Kristine closes this chapter by remembering Walter’s final weeks on hospice and how she began rebuilding her life after 14 years of caregiving. Her story speaks to courage, faith, and the ongoing process of rediscovering oneself after loss.

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In this first part of Walter and Kristine’s story, Kristine shares her heartfelt reflections on the years she and Walter spent searching for a diagnosis. After six long years, they learned that Walter had Erdheim-Chester Disease — the same rare blood cancer RuthAnn’s husband, Lance, faced. 

Kristine opens up about how their faith sustained them, how their relationship changed as she became his caregiver, and how her nursing background helped her navigate a world of uncertainty and hope. Her story is one of courage, love, and unwavering dedication through life’s hardest moments.

If this story touches your heart, please share this episode with someone who might need to hear it. Sharing helps others feel seen and reminds caregivers everywhere that they’re not alone.

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Disability advocate and Chanda Center for Health founder Chanda Hinton joins RuthAnn to talk about living as a care recipient after a life-changing spinal cord injury, why caregivers matter more than they know, and how integrative care is changing what is possible for people with long-term disabilities. Together they explore honest topics like caregiver burnout, what actually feels supportive from the care recipient side, and how practical help for caregivers can shape real health outcomes. Plus, you’ll get a glimpse into Chanda’s advocacy to expand access to services in ways that clearly show her passion and make this an inspiring conversation to listen to.

If this conversation resonates, please subscribe and share it with another caregiver or care recipient. You never know who you might help by passing it along.​

Timestamps:
00:48 – Chanda’s story: her spinal cord injury at age 9 and what led her to create the Chanda Center for Health.​
05:20 – What integrative health means and how care recipients benefit from these therapies.​
08:54 – Why strong caregiver/care recipient partnerships create the best healthcare outcomes.
13:01 – Chanda’s advice for caregivers facing burnout and overwhelm.
18:22 – Insight from a care recipient to caregivers and other care recipients.
25:56 – How practical help for caregivers improves outcomes for people with disabilities, and what systemic changes are still needed.
31:47 – Behind the policy work: how the Chanda Center helped expand access to integrative therapies through Medicaid.​
39:28 – Chanda’s guidance for organizations seeking a Medicaid waiver or building their own integrative health center.​
41:49 – How caregivers and care recipients can find and learn more about the Chanda Center for Health.​
44:27 – Final reflections and closing.

Visit https://chandacenter.org for more information.​

Photo © Megan Blowey Photography, used with permission.

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When you’re in the middle of a medical emergency, all you can think about is your loved one who needs help right now. It might be days later, after things settle down and the house is quiet again, that you think of all the questions you wanted to ask. Now that we know why the fire department shows up first, EMS Fire Chief Tom takes us inside the house and answers those other questions for us.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Step-by-step: what the crew does the moment they walk in
• What to do when your loved one is on hospice and a medical emergency happens
• How home health services can help you stay in your home longer
• Just how much firefighters have to know today
• The real culture inside the fire department 
• Tom’s personal story of why he became a firefighter
• How to follow up afterward and thank the crew

If you’ve ever had to let the fire department into your house for a medical emergency, this episode is for you. I wish I could have listened to it fifteen years ago.

00:58 What actually happens when the fire department walks in
04:33 Calling 911 when your loved one is on hospice
09:25 How responders handle a stressed-out caregiver
14:55 Do firefighters burn out from the same houses over and over?
17:59 If your loved one falls, call 911—don’t try to lift them yourself
27:25 Who the fire department refers caregivers to for help and resources
30:20 Common misconceptions about EMS responses to medical calls
40:28 How EMS has evolved in handling calls on chronic illness, disability, & aging
46:57 Just how much knowledge firefighters have to carry today
49:21 How to thank the crew or give feedback after a call
53:29 Tom’s story: why he became a firefighter and why he stayed
01:00:57 Thank you, Chief Tom, the Nampa Fire Dept, and thank you to every firefighter out there

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After 10 years of calling 911 as a full-time caregiver, I finally got answers to the question I never remembered to ask: “Why is the fire department here instead of the ambulance?”

In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with EMS Fire Chief Tom to break down exactly what happens when you dial 911 for a medical crisis.

We cover:

• Why firefighters show up first
• The must-have documents every caregiver needs ready
• How to talk to 911 dispatchers so help arrives faster
• Safety tips to protect your loved one and the responders
• What to expect when EMS walks through your door
• How to follow up and improve the next call

This isn’t just for caregivers — it’s for anyone who might ever need to call 911. If you’ve ever been confused, scared, or just wanted to be more prepared — this episode is for you.

EMS Fire Chief Tom returns in Part 2 with even more answers.

0:26 Intro: Why I made this episode  

2:31 Must-have documents for EMS & where to keep them  

10:28 Key medical info every caregiver needs ready  

13:16 What to tell 911 dispatch so the right help arrives fast  

17:26 Why the fire department shows up first  

20:52 Tips for non-English speakers or communication barriers  

24:50 Home safety tips for patients + responders  

37:46 House fire: what to do & how to prepare  

44:09 End-of-life conversations: why you need them before 911 is called  

53:51 Closing thoughts + please subscribe & share

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Welcome back to For Those Who Care! After a much-needed break, RuthAnn returns with an exciting relaunch for Season 2. Reflecting on 25 years of caregiving - including the heavy moments and heartfelt guest stories from Season 1 - she shares what’s coming next: more caregiver conversations, expert insights, and the essential knowledge she wishes someone had shared with her. This season isn’t just for caregivers. It’s for anyone who wants to be better prepared. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode. Full episodes return next week!

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In the season 1 finale of For Those Who Care, RuthAnn takes a few minutes to reflect on the past year and the powerful stories and lessons shared about her 25-year caregiving journey, alongside the inspiring voices of her guests. Every story matters—yours included! As we pause for a brief two-month break, we're working on exciting changes for season 2 that will bring valuable insights for everyone, not just caregivers. Stay tuned by hitting the subscribe button so you don’t miss our return, and a more expansive, meaningful season. Thank you for being part of this community!